3 Minutes - Article
The holidays can be tough, especially when it feels like everyone around you is having the perfect time. Pressure to be happy, spend money, or to be with family or friends can make you feel overwhelmed.
If you're dealing with loss, feeling lonely, or your family situation is different from what you see on your screen, it can bring up a lot of tough emotions. And if you're already struggling with your mental health, the chaos of the season can make everything feel even harder.
It's okay to not feel festive, and you're not alone in that. It's important to take care of yourself, however that looks for you.
Some of the common triggers you may feel are:
Guilt
Obligations
Loneliness
Nostalgia
Social Pressure
Feeling Left Out
Sense of Loss
Financial Stress
It’s important to understand that when these feelings happen or arise, you must honor and acknowledge them and let them pass through. To validate those feelings helps you to regulate your emotions and how you react during these moments.
It’s also extremely important that when you feel a trigger, you should put down your phone or leave a holiday situation that is causing distress... If that isn't possible, then try to do breath-work, notice your senses (look, listen, smell or taste) and go to a place in your mind that can temporarily distract you until you feel safe to leave that situation.
If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to:
- Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
- Crisis Line 1-877-303-2642
- Or dial 911 for any medical-related emergency.
